Newton

Orrery planetary model by Newton & Co., 1851-1856

Dated to the middle of the nineteenth century this planetary model was made by the London instrument makers Newton and Company. Called an orrery or planetarium, it is a demonstration model to show the motions of the Earth, Moon and planets around the Sun. Such devices became popular during seventeenth century especially after Sir Isaac Newton published his universal theory of gravity. To reproduce the motions of the solar system this model employs a hand crank to drive gear wheels. Models of this sort were commonly employed in schools or colleges to teach astronomical principles. from: http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/objects/astronomy/1869-48.aspx?keywords=planetaryYear made :1851-1856

This planetary model was made by the London instrument makers Newton and Company. Called an orrery or planetarium, it is a demonstration model to show the motions of the Earth, Moon and planets around the Sun. This example has a wooden base with paper calendar scales and eight planets (Mercury to Neptune - the ninth, Pluto, was not discovered until 1930) on long rod-arms. Picture Reference: 10196360Subject: NATURAL WORLD > Astronomy > Solar System, Models, Orreries" Inventory No.: 1869-0048 Credit: Science Museum